The 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Conference tagged “Minna 2014” of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) was held at Abdulsalam Youth Centre, Minna, Niger State, October 28-31, 2014. The theme of the Conference was “ENHANCING MINING INVESTMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION OF NIGERIA” which was in tune with the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, geared towards re-positioning Nigeria as a mining destination. The conference re-echoed the economic and social importance of the minerals industry and sensitized the public on the need to invest in the mining sector which has emerged as the economic revelation of this millennium. The three-day event featured various presentations on the Conference theme, business session (AGM proper), evening dinner and investiture of fellowship awards on outstanding members and individuals.
On 29th October, 2014 a crowd of over 300 members gathered at the Abdulsalam Youth Centre, Minna, Niger State to participate in Pre- AGM Panel Discussion under the chairmanship of the NSME President, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME. The Panel of Discussants included Engr. S. O. Oladipo, FNSME, IPP, Engr. Dr. E. O. A. Damisa, FNSME, and Engr. Dr. B. M. Olaleye, FNSME. The lead papers presenters were Engr. Prof. S. J. Mallo, FNSME, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Jos who gave a thought- provoking paper , ‘Capacity Building for Nigerian Mining Sector’ and Prof. N. G. Obaje, Department of Geology & Mining, IBB University, Lapai, Niger State who addressed, ‘Harnessing Mineral Resources for the Sustainable Industrial Development of Nigeria’. The session was coordinated by Engr. Mohammed Ali, while Engr. Dr. B. S. Jatau, FNSME, Engr. Dr. B. M. Olaleye, FNSME, Engr. O. A. W. Oyeladun and Engr. S. A. Agbalajobi served as members of Panel of Rapporteurs.
The opening ceremony of the 14th AGM/Conference which took place on Thursday 30th October, 2014 was well attended by members, the cream of experts in the Nigerian minerals industry and distinguished guests. In attendance were Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, represented by the Honourable Minister of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada, CON, FNIA, FNMGS, FNSME; the Chief Servant, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, OON, CON, Governor of Niger State, represented by Alhaji Ndako Kpaki, the Secretary to Government of Niger State; the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development represented by Engr. D. A. Awojobi, the Director of Mines Inspectorate; the Director General of Mining Cadastre, Engr. M. K. Amate; the Emir of Minna represented by Malam Suleiman Usman (Wakilin Minna); the Honourable Commissioner of Mines and Mineral Resources of Niger State, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Abbas; the President of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. So-ngor Clifford Teme, FNMGS; the Registrar of Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), Engr. B. M. Bugaje, FNSME; Director, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Engr. U. S. Bamalli, and Mr. Partha Ghosh of African Nonferrous Industries Limited.
At the opening ceremony, it was speeches galore. The highlights of the ceremony included:
- the welcome address by the host, NSME President, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME,
- the address by Chief Host, the Chief Servant, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, CON, the Governor of Niger State,
- the Keynote address by the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada, CON, FNIA, FNMGS, FNSME, and
- the address by Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR;
- Goodwill Messages from the Registrar of COMEG, Engr. B. M. Bugaje, FNSME and NMGS President, Prof. So-ngor Clifford Teme, FNMGS;
- Conferment of Honorary Fellowship Award of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers on Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR; the Chief Servant, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, OON, CON, (Talban Minna), Governor of Niger State; and His Excellency, Alhaji Abudul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, (Shettiman Mafara) Executive Governor of Zamfara State and
- the public presentation of Volume 12 of the Nigerian Mining Journal by Engr. Prof. S. J. Mallo, FNSME and its launching.
The opening ceremony was coordinated by the Master of Ceremony, Engr. S. O. Oladipo, FNSME, IPP. The opening ceremony was immediately followed by technical session which received many technical papers on sub-theme of the conference. Thereafter, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the members of the Society was conducted under the chairmanship of NSME President. The NSME President gave highlights of activities of the Society and the NSME executive officers presented their reports. It was agreed that Jos Zonal Chapter will host the 15th AGM/Conference of the Society next year in Jos, Plateau State.
The 14th AGM/Conference of the Society was rounded up with dinner and Award Night. Prior to the banquet, the NSME President warmly welcomed members and guests to the dinner and asked them to enjoy their meals and renew old acquaintances and network with other members. Perhaps, the highlight of the impressive evening was the conferment of NSME Fellowship Award on Engr. Dr. B. M. Olaleye and Engr. D. A. Awojobi by the NSME President, Engr. B. O. Nwude, FNSME, in appreciation and recognition of their outstanding contributions to the growth of our Society and the Nigerian Minerals industry. The Master of Ceremony of the evening outing was Engr. Adedeji Adetunji, FNSME. The 14th AGM/Conference has come and gone but its memories still remain with us. The Society is indebted to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of ‘Minna 2014’and tremendous goodwill from many individuals and corporate organizations for making the AGM/Conference a big success. The success of AGM/Conference is attributed to two things: commitment and dedication from our members.